What is the difference between a conjunctive adverb and a conjunction like but?

A conjunction like but joins two sentences with a comma: it rained, but we played. A conjunctive adverb needs a semicolon because it is not a true joining word: it rained; however, we played. The two sentences mean the same thing. Only the punctuation changes.

Can however start a sentence?

Yes. However, we played is a correct sentence after a period. These sheets practice the other place it goes, after a semicolon inside one sentence, because that is the pattern students most often punctuate wrong.

7th grade conjunctive adverbs

7th grade conjunctive adverbs worksheets

A conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, instead, meanwhile) joins two complete sentences into one and names how they relate: a contrast, a result, one more point, a replacement, a condition, or two things at once. It takes a semicolon before it and a comma after it. Seventh graders read both clauses and write the adverb that fits.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.7.1.b.

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The kind of sentences you'll fix

Write the word that names how the two parts connect. Choose from the words in parentheses.

The first trial showed no change in the water’s color; (consequently / furthermore / however), the second trial turned it bright pink.
Fixed: The first trial showed no change in the water’s color; however, the second trial turned it bright pink.
The train is cheaper than flying to the coast; (furthermore / however / otherwise), it lets you see the mountains along the way.
The harvest failed two years in a row; (consequently / nevertheless / similarly), many families left the valley for the city.

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 7th grade sheet

7th grade sheets draw from 54 sentences, 8 to a page. None of these sentences are on 8th grade sheets. 8th grade sheets print 7 to a page.

A few of the sentences, as the answer key corrects them:

The seeds in the closet received no light at all; therefore, none of them sprouted.
Solar panels lower the school’s electric bill; furthermore, they produce no pollution while they work.
We need to leave the house by seven; otherwise, we will miss the start of the game.

Fix it. Write the word that names how the two parts connect. Choose from the words in parentheses. 8 sentences to fix per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Have your student say the link in plain words before looking at the choices: it is a surprise, it is a result, it is one more thing. Then match the plain words to the adverb. However and nevertheless go with a surprise, therefore and consequently with a result, furthermore with one more point. The punctuation is printed on these sheets on purpose, so point it out every time: semicolon, adverb, comma. When your student writes their own sentences, that pattern is the part they will forget.

Watch for: A comma alone cannot join two sentences, even with however in the middle. The dog barked, however, nobody woke up is a run-on. It needs a semicolon before however. Conjunctive adverbs are not interchangeable. However and therefore say opposite things about how the two clauses relate, so the wrong one makes the sentence false. The word after the semicolon starts with a lowercase letter, because the whole thing is still one sentence.

Common questions about 7th grade conjunctive adverbs

What is the difference between a conjunctive adverb and a conjunction like but?: A conjunction like but joins two sentences with a comma: it rained, but we played. A conjunctive adverb needs a semicolon because it is not a true joining word: it rained; however, we played. The two sentences mean the same thing. Only the punctuation changes.
Can however start a sentence?: Yes. However, we played is a correct sentence after a period. These sheets practice the other place it goes, after a semicolon inside one sentence, because that is the pattern students most often punctuate wrong.

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Aligned to Common Core L.7.1.b. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated September 2026.

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